International News

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Completes Historic Two-Day Visit to India

• Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz undertook his first official visit to India and the Asian region from January 12-13, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The visit commenced in Gujarat where both leaders visited Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, followed by the joint inauguration of the International Kite Festival 2026 (January 10-14) at Sabarmati Riverfront as part of Uttarayan/Makar Sankranti celebrations.
• High-level bilateral discussions were held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, focusing on reviewing the India-Germany Strategic Partnership which recently completed 25 years of collaboration. The leaders attended the India-Germany CEO Forum in Ahmedabad to strengthen economic and business ties between both nations, facilitating direct engagement between corporate leadership from both countries.
• Chancellor Merz’s itinerary extended to Karnataka on January 13, 2026, where he was received at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru by M B Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries. He visited the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, highlighting mutual commitment to scientific research and innovation, and toured the Bosch campus in Adugodi where he received briefings on technological innovations and sustainable mobility initiatives including hydrogen-powered solutions.
• The visit resulted in the signing of 19 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Joint Declarations between India and Germany across various sectors. Major announcements included visa-free transit for Indian passport holders traveling through Germany, establishment of Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue, and adoption of the Work Plan for India-Germany Digital Dialogue covering 2025-2027, significantly enhancing cooperation frameworks between both nations.

Rank and Reports News

Maharashtra Leads NITI Aayog’s Export Preparedness Index 2024, India Targets USD 1 Trillion Exports

• NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam released the fourth edition of the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2024 in January 2026 at an event in New Delhi, providing a comprehensive assessment of export readiness across Indian States and Union Territories. Maharashtra emerged as the top-ranked large state with a score of 68.01, followed by Tamil Nadu (64.41) and Gujarat (64.02), while among smaller states, Uttarakhand claimed the top position with 52.07, ahead of Jammu and Kashmir (51.08) and Nagaland (46.42).
• The index employs an indicator-based, normalized, and weighted methodology that was enhanced in 2024 for greater robustness, comparability, and policy relevance. It assesses export performance spanning Financial Years 2021-22 through 2023-24, structured around 4 pillars, 13 sub-pillars, and 70 indicators to provide granular insights into each region’s export ecosystem capabilities.
• States and Union Territories are categorized into four groups—Large States, Small States, North Eastern States, and UTs—and further classified as Leaders (high preparedness), Challengers (moderate preparedness), or Aspirers (early-stage ecosystem development) within their peer groups. This classification system promotes competitive federalism and enables states to benchmark their performance against comparable entities.
• The EPI 2024 serves as an evidence-based policy tool designed to support India’s ambitious target of achieving USD 1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030. By identifying structural gaps in export ecosystems, the index helps state governments formulate targeted interventions to enhance their export competitiveness, strengthen logistics infrastructure, improve regulatory frameworks, and develop skill sets aligned with export market requirements.

International News

India Unveils BRICS 2026 Chairship Theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability

• Union Minister for External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar unveiled the logo, theme, and official website of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 at a ceremony in New Delhi in January 2026. India assumed the BRICS Chairship for the entire calendar year 2026 (January 1 to December 31), marking its fourth tenure and coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the BRICS grouping comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• The theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Humanity First and People-centric” development. The BRICS India 2026 logo draws inspiration from the lotus flower, blending traditional symbolism with modern design elements to represent inclusivity, dialogue, and shared growth among member nations.
• The logo’s design features vibrant lotus petals depicting the diverse colors of BRICS member nations to symbolize unity in diversity, while the central “Namaste” gesture conveys warmth, respect, and harmonious collaboration rooted in Indian cultural values. The official website brics2026.gov.in was launched as the central platform for information dissemination throughout India’s Chairship year.
• India has outlined four strategic priorities encapsulated in the acronym BRICS—Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability—aimed at strengthening collective capacities of member nations and promoting inclusive global development. These priorities will guide India’s agenda throughout 2026, focusing on addressing contemporary global challenges while fostering deeper cooperation among BRICS nations and their partners across economic, political, cultural, and technological domains.

State News

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Launches Development Projects Worth Rs 629 Crore in Gujarat

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple development projects exceeding Rs 629 crore under Mansa Municipality, covering Mansa and parts of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in January 2026. The initiatives span sports infrastructure, civic amenities, pharmaceutical education, biosafety research facilities, and heritage conservation, reflecting comprehensive development priorities.
• A state-of-the-art sports complex constructed at Rs 267 crore was inaugurated in Mansa as part of Gujarat’s strategy to develop a world-class sports hub with preparations aimed at hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. Shah also inaugurated Mansa’s underground sewerage system and a new fire station, significantly upgrading the town’s urban civic services infrastructure to meet growing population demands.
• The foundation stone for the Pharma Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE) was laid near Sanand Circle in Ahmedabad under the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision, marking 25 years of the Indian Pharma Alliance (IPA). Additionally, Shah laid the foundation for India’s first high-tech Bio Safety Level-4 (BSL-4) laboratory at Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in Gandhinagar, to be developed at Rs 362 crore over 11,000 square meters.
• The BSL-4 facility will enable India to conduct advanced research on highly pathogenic organisms and enhance the nation’s pandemic preparedness capabilities. Shah also laid the foundation stone for redevelopment of the historic Malav Lake in Mansa, aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability and creating recreational infrastructure for residents while preserving the town’s cultural heritage.

State News

Australia’s University of New South Wales to Establish Bengaluru Campus by August 2026

• The University of New South Wales (UNSW), one of Australia’s leading universities, announced plans in January 2026 to establish a new campus at Manyata Tech Park in Bengaluru, Karnataka, with operations commencing by August 2026. The announcement followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNSW Vice-Chancellor Prof. Attila Brungs and Dr. S. Selvakumar, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries, Government of Karnataka, at a ceremony held at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru.
• For the initial phase, UNSW will offer undergraduate programs in commerce, media, computer science, and data science, along with a postgraduate program in cybersecurity, addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in these sectors. The campus will cater to Indian students seeking world-class education without relocating abroad, while also serving international students interested in studying in India’s technology capital.
• UNSW has announced future plans to establish a campus at the upcoming Knowledge, Wellbeing, and Innovation (KWIN) City near Bengaluru, demonstrating long-term commitment to educational infrastructure development in Karnataka. This initiative aligns with the broader India-Australia Education and Research Cooperation Programme (2025-2030), which aims to deepen academic collaboration, research partnerships, and student mobility between both nations.
• Bengaluru is emerging as a preferred destination for international universities, with the University of Liverpool and University of Lancaster from England also announcing plans to open campuses in the city. This trend reflects Karnataka’s proactive policies to attract global educational institutions, positioning Bengaluru as an international education hub while providing students access to globally recognized degrees and fostering knowledge exchange between Indian and international academic communities.

National News

ICAR and NDDB Partner to Transform India’s Dairy Sector Through Research and Innovation

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in January 2026 in New Delhi. The MoU was formalized by Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Deputy Director General (Animal Science) at ICAR, and S. Regupathi, Executive Director (Operations) at NDDB, establishing a framework for enhanced collaboration in multidisciplinary research, innovation, and capacity building across the dairy value chain.
• The partnership aims to combine ICAR’s scientific and research expertise with NDDB’s extensive field-level experience and strong institutional capabilities to address emerging challenges in India’s dairy sector. The collaboration will focus on developing solutions for complex issues including climate resilience, low productivity levels, value chain development, and empowerment of primary stakeholders—dairy farmers and cooperative societies.
• Key focus areas of the MoU encompass the entire spectrum of dairy production, processing, and value addition activities. Special emphasis will be placed on improving milk production efficiency, enhancing animal health and genetics, developing climate-smart dairy farming practices, strengthening processing technologies, and creating innovative dairy products that meet evolving consumer preferences and export market requirements.
• This strategic partnership is expected to forge structured mechanisms for knowledge transfer from research institutions to grassroots-level implementation, ensuring that scientific innovations reach dairy farmers and cooperatives effectively. The collaboration will also facilitate joint capacity building programs, shared research infrastructure utilization, and coordinated efforts to position India’s dairy sector for sustainable growth while maintaining its position as the world’s largest milk producer.

National News

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Launches ‘Inspiring Innovators’ Animation Initiative with Netflix

• The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in partnership with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, launched the ‘Inspiring Innovators – Naye Bharat Ki Nayi Pehchaan’ skilling initiative in January 2026. The program was implemented in collaboration with Graphiti Studios and connects India’s innovation and creative ecosystems through storytelling focused on socially relevant innovations.
• The initiative features eight short animated films created by students from eight universities across India, highlighting the work of eight Indian start-ups identified by the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office for their contributions to social-impact innovation. A diverse cohort of 26 students, with women representing 50% of participants and several hailing from Tier-II cities, gained hands-on experience in animation production under mentorship from industry experts.
• Student participants received comprehensive training in animation techniques, storytelling methodologies, and production workflows, enabling them to translate complex technological innovations into engaging visual narratives accessible to general audiences. The voiceovers for these animated films were produced through Voicebox, a Netflix-led skilling initiative developed in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), providing additional professional exposure to aspiring voice artists.
• The ‘Inspiring Innovators’ program represents a unique convergence of science communication, creative skill development, and social impact storytelling. By showcasing innovations addressing real-world challenges through the accessible medium of animation, the initiative aims to inspire young Indians to pursue careers in both innovation and creative industries while democratizing awareness of indigenous technological solutions that can improve lives across the country.

State News

Tamil Nadu and Sarvam AI Establish India’s First Sovereign AI Park in Chennai

• The Government of Tamil Nadu signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sarvam AI on January 13, 2026, to establish India’s first full-stack Sovereign Artificial Intelligence Park in Chennai. The project will receive an initial investment of approximately Rs 10,000 crore and is projected to generate over 1,000 high-skilled deep-tech jobs, positioning Tamil Nadu as a national leader in AI infrastructure and governance applications.
• The Sovereign AI Park will be developed as a dedicated AI district integrating multiple components: high-performance AI computing infrastructure, secure data frameworks ensuring privacy and sovereignty, advanced research and model training laboratories, and innovation clusters that facilitate collaboration between academia, industry, and government. This comprehensive approach aims to create a complete ecosystem supporting AI development from research to deployment.
• A dedicated Institute for AI in Governance will be established within the park to develop AI solutions specifically for public-sector use, with strong emphasis on data security, ethical AI implementation, and accountability mechanisms. This institute will focus on creating AI applications tailored for Indian contexts, ensuring that technological solutions respect privacy norms, cultural sensitivities, and democratic values while enhancing government service delivery.
• The park will support large-scale AI projects across critical sectors including education (personalized learning systems), healthcare (diagnostic support and telemedicine), agriculture (precision farming and crop monitoring), and citizen services (automated grievance redressal and service delivery). A key priority is promoting Tamil-first AI models that reflect local language, cultural context, and regional knowledge systems, ensuring AI technologies serve Tamil Nadu’s population effectively while preserving linguistic and cultural identity in the digital age.

Science and Technology News

Galgotias University Launches IIT Mandi Catalyst Satellite Centre to Boost Startup Ecosystem

• Galgotias University inaugurated the IIT-Mandi Catalyst Satellite Centre at its Greater Noida campus in Uttar Pradesh in January 2026, marking a significant milestone in strengthening innovation-driven learning, entrepreneurship, and India’s expanding startup ecosystem. The center was established in collaboration with IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, to support early-stage startups, promote deep-tech innovation, and bridge the gap between academic research and real-world commercial applications.
• The satellite center will function as an innovation and incubation hub providing comprehensive support to startups, student entrepreneurs, and joint programs through mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and academics, access to investor networks, market linkages facilitating commercialization, technology commercialization support, and acceleration programs that help startups scale rapidly. This ecosystem approach addresses multiple challenges faced by early-stage ventures simultaneously.
• During the inauguration, Galgotias University signed two strategic Memorandums of Understanding with National Institute of Technology (NIT) Jamshedpur in Jharkhand and Jharkhand University of Technology (JUT) Ranchi. These partnerships will enable joint research initiatives across institutions, faculty and student exchange programs fostering knowledge transfer, co-creation of deep-tech startups leveraging combined expertise, access to advanced laboratories and research facilities, and shared incubation and acceleration programs that pool resources for greater impact.
• The IIT Mandi Catalyst Satellite Centre represents the expansion of successful innovation models from premier institutions to a broader network of universities, democratizing access to world-class incubation support. By establishing this center at Galgotias University, which ranks prominently in QS and Times Higher Education global rankings, the initiative enables students and entrepreneurs in the National Capital Region to access IIT-quality mentorship, infrastructure, and networks, accelerating the development of technology-driven ventures addressing national and global challenges.

Rank and Reports News

Singapore Tops Henley Passport Index 2026; India Climbs to 80th Position

• Henley & Partners released the Henley Passport Index 2026 Global Ranking on January 13, 2026, with Singapore retaining the most powerful passport position for the third consecutive year, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations. Japan and South Korea jointly occupy second place with access to 188 destinations, while Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Denmark share third position with visa-free access to 186 countries.
• India improved its ranking to 80th position in 2026, up from 85th in 2025, with Indian passport holders now enjoying visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 destinations worldwide. India shares this ranking with Algeria and Niger, reflecting gradual improvements in India’s diplomatic relations and bilateral agreements that have expanded travel access for Indian citizens over recent years.
• The index reveals significant global disparities in travel freedom, with Afghanistan ranking last with access to only 24 countries, creating a 168-country gap between the most and least powerful passports. Other countries with severely restricted travel access include Syria (100th rank, 26 destinations), Iraq (99th, 29 destinations), Pakistan and Yemen (98th, 31 destinations), highlighting how political instability, security concerns, and diplomatic isolation impact citizens’ mobility.
• European nations dominate the top rankings, with countries such as Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, and Norway sharing fourth place with 185 destinations, followed by Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and UAE at fifth position with 184 destinations. The Asia-Pacific region shows strong performance with Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia in the top ten, while the United States ranks 10th with access to 179 destinations, reflecting changing global mobility dynamics.

Banking and Finance News

PFRDA Establishes Expert Committee for Assured Payout Framework Under National Pension System

• The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), operating under the Ministry of Finance, constituted a 15-member high-level expert committee in January 2026 chaired by Dr. M. S. Sahoo, former Chairperson of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India. The committee will formulate a comprehensive regulatory framework for assured payouts under the National Pension System (NPS), aimed at strengthening retirement income security for subscribers.
• The multidisciplinary panel comprises experts from law, actuarial science, finance, insurance, capital markets, and academia, constituted as a standing advisory committee on structured pension payouts under NPS. The committee has been authorized to invite external experts or intermediaries as special invitees for consultation and feedback, ensuring comprehensive stakeholder engagement in policy formulation.
• The committee’s mandate encompasses multiple critical tasks: deliberating on novation and settlement mechanisms to enable legally enforceable, market-based assurances; defining operational standards including lock-in periods, fee structures, withdrawal limits, and tax treatment within the NPS payout phase; establishing risk management protocols, capital adequacy requirements, solvency standards, and legal safeguards for institutions offering assured payouts.
• Consumer protection forms a central focus, with the committee tasked to standardize disclosures preventing mis-selling, clarify distinctions between ‘assured’ versus market-linked returns, and address shortcomings of the current annuity-based model that many retirees find inadequate. The regulatory framework aims to provide NPS subscribers with more predictable and secure retirement income options while maintaining financial sustainability and protecting against institutional failures that could jeopardize pensioners’ financial security during their post-retirement years.

Banking and Finance News

Karnataka Bank Integrates Khajane-2 System for Seamless Government Revenue Collection

• Karnataka Bank Limited enabled its net banking platform in January 2026 to support payment and electronic receipt generation for government transactions through the Government of Karnataka’s Khajane-2 Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS). This integration reflects the bank’s commitment to offering convenient, secure, and value-added digital services meeting evolving customer requirements and supporting state government revenue collection modernization.
• The bank secured necessary authorization from the Reserve Bank of India and approval from the Department of Treasuries, Government of Karnataka, to collect state government revenue receipts through the Khajane-2 system. Following successful technical integration with RBI’s e-Kuber system and the Khajane-2 platform, Karnataka Bank customers can now make seamless tax and fee payments to various state government departments through net banking without visiting physical collection centers.
• The initiative enables citizens to pay various state government levies including professional tax, commercial tax, stamp duty, registration fees, departmental fees, and other statutory payments online through Karnataka Bank’s net banking portal. Upon successful payment, the system generates electronic receipts automatically, providing immediate confirmation and creating a digital audit trail that enhances transparency and reduces scope for errors or manipulation in revenue collection processes.
• By minimizing manual procedures and streamlining receipt handling, the initiative significantly improves user convenience for citizens who can now complete government payments from home or office at any time, while simultaneously bolstering the state’s digital payments infrastructure. The integration supports Karnataka’s broader digitalization agenda, reduces cash handling risks, expedites revenue realization for the state government, and provides citizens with secure, traceable payment records for tax compliance and record-keeping purposes.

Rank and Reports News

World Bank Projects India’s GDP Growth at 7.2% for FY26, Driven by Robust Domestic Demand

• The World Bank Group released its flagship ‘Global Economic Prospects: January 2026’ report, projecting India’s GDP growth rate at 7.2% for Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26), significantly revised upward from the 6.3% forecast issued in June 2025. The strong growth is primarily driven by robust domestic demand, particularly strong private consumption supported by tax reforms and rising household incomes in rural areas, offsetting global economic uncertainties.
• For FY27, India’s GDP growth is projected to moderate to 6.5% compared to the previous estimate of 7.2%, based on the assumption that 50% import tariffs imposed by the United States remain in place throughout the forecast horizon. However, the report notes that the impact of higher US tariffs on Indian exports is expected to be mitigated by stronger-than-anticipated momentum in domestic demand, with growth projected to edge up to 6.6% in FY28, aided by robust services activity, export recovery, and investment pickup.
• The report highlights that India’s inflation is expected to converge to the Reserve Bank of India’s 4% target, assuming stable seasonal conditions contain food price inflation. This inflation trajectory would provide the RBI with greater flexibility for monetary policy decisions, potentially supporting investment and consumption through appropriate interest rate management while maintaining price stability as a primary objective.
• Global growth projections show a marginal slowdown from 2.7% in Calendar Year 2025 to 2.6% in CY26, a decline of 10 basis points. For the South Asia region (excluding Pakistan and Afghanistan, which the World Bank categorizes under Middle East and North Africa), growth is projected at 7.1% in CY25, supported by robust economic activity in India that mitigates impacts of rising trade tensions and heightened policy uncertainty, before easing to 6.2% in CY26, reflecting higher US tariffs’ impact on India’s export performance.

Awards and Recognitions News

Indian Army Major Swathi Shantha Kumar Receives Prestigious UN Gender Award for South Sudan Mission

• Indian Army officer Major Swathi Shantha Kumar from Bengaluru, Karnataka, received the United Nations Secretary-General’s Award 2025 in the Gender Category in January 2026 for her project “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace” implemented during her service with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The award, announced by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, recognizes her exceptional leadership in advancing gender parity through effective deployment of the Indian Engagement Team.
• Major Kumar serves in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) with the Indian Army and demonstrated outstanding commitment to enhancing patrols, community outreach, and trust-building activities in conflict-affected zones of South Sudan. Her initiative successfully integrated engagement teams that strengthened grassroots connections with women in conflict areas and improved gender-responsiveness within UNMISS operations, creating measurable impact on peacekeeping effectiveness.
• The UN Secretary-General’s Awards are annual honors instituted to recognize outstanding contributions by UN personnel, peacekeepers, and teams demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to UN values. The 2025 awards covered six categories: Innovation, Collegiality, Gender, Diversity & Inclusion, Multilingualism, and Leadership/Service Excellence, promoting a culture of excellence and accountability while recognizing initiatives with measurable impact on peace and development.
• Major Kumar’s project “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace” represents a comprehensive initiative that deployed and integrated engagement teams to strengthen community connections, particularly with women in conflict-affected areas, while enhancing gender-responsiveness in UNMISS operations. The recognition highlights India’s growing contribution to UN peacekeeping operations and the crucial role of women peacekeepers in building sustainable peace, as gender-inclusive approaches have proven more effective in gaining community trust and ensuring lasting stability in post-conflict environments.

Defence News

India Observes 10th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day Honoring Retired Military Personnel

• Armed Forces Veterans’ Day was observed across India on January 14, 2026, marking the 10th edition of this annual commemoration that honors the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of veterans from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force who have served the nation with distinction. January 14 was designated as Veterans’ Day to commemorate the retirement of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa, India’s first Commander-in-Chief of the Army, who retired on this date in 1953.
• The observance was first celebrated as a pan-India event in 2016-17 under the Ministry of Defence and has been commemorated annually across the country since then. The 2026 event was held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, attended by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, President Droupadi Murmu (Supreme Commander of Armed Forces), Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, among other dignitaries.
• Nationwide commemoration activities were organized by 34 Rajya Sainik Boards in States and Union Territories and 434 Zila Sainik Boards across India, featuring rallies, outreach programs, and support activities for veterans and their families. Special assistance desks were established including SPARSH (System for Pension Administration and Records for Soldiers-Half) pension help desks, ECHS (Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme) healthcare counters, and dedicated support desks from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• The day serves multiple purposes: publicly acknowledging the invaluable contributions of veterans who have transitioned from military to civilian life; raising awareness about welfare schemes and benefits available to ex-servicemen and their families; facilitating access to pension, healthcare, and rehabilitation services; and strengthening the bond between the armed forces and civil society. The observance reinforces the nation’s commitment to ensuring dignity and support for those who have dedicated significant portions of their lives to national security and defense.

State News

Karnataka Launches Digital Marketing Portal Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Under Gruha Lakshmi Scheme

• The Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Karnataka, launched the ‘Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing’ portal in January 2026 at Karmani Utsav-2026 in Bengaluru, extending the flagship Gruha Lakshmi Scheme to promote women entrepreneurship, economic independence, and digital inclusion. The initiative represents a strategic expansion from direct cash transfers to capability building and market access for women entrepreneurs across Karnataka.
• The portal (gruhalakshmidigital.org) enables women entrepreneurs to sell handicrafts, food items, jewellery, clothing, and traditional products to customers globally while showcasing Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage. Women entrepreneurs can register through multiple channels: online registration at the portal, through District In-charge Officers, or at the Department Head Office, ensuring accessibility for women across urban and rural areas with varying levels of digital literacy.
• The initiative provides comprehensive support including vocational training to enhance product quality and business skills, financial assistance for business establishment and expansion, and a state-backed, user-friendly e-commerce platform to enhance business reach and digital marketing capabilities. All registered women entrepreneurs undergo verification processes to ensure product authenticity and maintain platform credibility, building consumer trust in products sold through the portal.
• The digital marketing portal is an extension of the existing Gruha Lakshmi Scheme, which provides Rs 2,000 per month to women heads of eligible households in Karnataka as direct financial support. This integrated approach combines income support with livelihood creation opportunities, enabling women to build sustainable businesses while receiving basic income security. The initiative is guided by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, spearheaded by Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Minister for Women and Child Development, and operationalized through the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation under Chairperson G. Padmavathi.